The Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society is asking community dock owners for their support for a citizen science project to protect lakes in the area from invasive mussels.
The project is looking for residents who own private docks on Kalamalka, Wood, Okanagan, Skaha and Osoyoos lakes.
Volunteers will be given a pair of monitors to attach to their docks, and will be required to check them for invasive mussels every two weeks from July through September.
“Introduction of invasive mussels would impact everyone in the Okanagan,” said Lisa Scott, executive director of the invasive species society. “This project offers a chance for people to actively participate in combating an important environmental issue that would affect us all.”
Zebra and quagga mussels have infested more than 800 lakes in North America since they were introduced in the Great Lakes in the late 1980s.
While there has been no reported introduction of these mussels into B.C. lakes and waterways, the risk of contamination from watercraft remains a possibility.
The consequences of an invasive species invasion would cause irreversible damage to lake ecosystems, water quality, recreation and tourism and municipal water infrastructure, Scott said.
The invasive species society has been monitoring mussels in Okanagan lakes for the past 12 years.
The project is being funded by the Okanagan Basin Water Board through its Don’t Move A Mussel campaign.
Those interested in participating are asked to contact oasiss@shaw.ca
